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AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine is getting about $20,000 in federal money to research and address white-nose syndrome, a disease that sickens and kills little brown bats.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is awarding the money as part of nearly $1 million in grants to 35 states and Washington, D.C.
Officials say state natural resource agencies will use the money for research, — to monitor bat populations and to respond to the disease. The fish and wildlife service's national white-nose syndrome coordinator says the disease has been confirmed in 26 states and five Canadian provinces.
The syndrome is a disease caused by a fungus that interrupts bat hibernation. It robs the animals of energy and stored fat. It was first discovered in New York in the winter of 2006-2007.
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